2 killed, 9 arrested in Bulacan anti-drug war

CAMP ALEJO SANTOS, BulacanĀ — Two suspected drug pushers were killed and nine others were arrested during the simultaneous police operations against illegal drugs conducted by Bulacan police on Thursday and early morning of Friday.

Superintendent Chito G. Bersaluna, acting provincial director of Bulacan Police Provincial Office, identified the fatalities as Constantine Lester Belvis, 30, a resident of Lot 12, Block 1, Tierra de Sta. Maria Subdivision, Barangay Pulong Buhangin, Sta. Maria; and Bienvenido Garcia, 47, of No. 0764 Sitio Sabitan, Barangay Sto. Rosario, City of Malolos.

Bersaluna said thatĀ  based on the report of Sta. Maria police, a shoot-out ensued in Barangay Pulong Buhangin between the drug operatives and suspect Belvis around 1:30 a.m. on Friday.

ā€œInvestigation revealed that during the transaction, the suspect noticed the presence of the police officers. He drew his firearm and fired towards the operatives which prompted them to retaliate, resulting in his death,ā€ Bersaluna said.

On the other hand, Superintendent Heryl Bruno, Malolos City police chief, said that at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday, an armed encounter ensued between anti-drugs operatives of Malolos against suspect Garcia during a buy-bust operation .

ā€œAfter a consummated drug deal, Garcia resisted arrest and ran towards inside his residence and fired his gun towards the police operatives thatĀ  prompted to fire back . This led to a brief exchange of gunfire that resulted in the suspect’s neutralization,ā€ Bruno said.

Recovered from Belvis were four heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected ā€œshabuā€, a caliber .38 revolver; Armscor firearm without serial number loaded with two fired cartridge cases and three live ammunition; three caliber 9mm fired cartridge cases; buy-bust money; and assorted drug paraphernalia;

Seized from Garcia, on the other hand, were 20 small heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets of suspected ā€œshabuā€; one improvised shotgun loaded with one 12-gauge shotshell; six fired cartridge cases for caliber 9 mm; and buy-bust money.

Meanwhile, BersalunaĀ  said that nineĀ  other drug suspects were nabbed in different drug sting operations conducted in the City of San Jose Del Monte; and in the towns of Norzagaray, Obando, San Rafael, Bocaue, and San Miguel.

The arrested suspects were identified as Victor Bigay Tindugan, a surrenderer of Oplan Tokhang;Ā  Mark Singalawa; Alexander Singalawa; Anthony Pantillano; Jonathan Artiaga; Paulo Manahan; Christopher Elegado; Jay Ar Santos; and a 17-year-old Child in Conflict with Law (CICL).

Confiscated during the operations were 35 pieces heat-sealed plastic sachets of suspected ā€œshabuā€, buy-bust money and assorted drug paraphernalia.

The arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to Bulacan Crime Laboratory Office for examination while appropriate criminal complaints against them are now being prepared for filing in court.Ā (PNA)

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